Ft Sill Bound: Need Help (Lawton, Cache: house, subdivision, moving)

[peggydavis]

It's terrible that some crooks will try to take advantage of people. If this is happening, I would avoid new houses built in the area and try to buy a little older home. If they are using cheap electric materials, that would all be covered up by the time you were looking at the home.

[Bobby H]

If you're building a home in the Lawton-Fort Sill area, the real area where you have to watch out for dishonest builders and sub-standard practices is outside of Lawton city limits in Comanche County.

Lawton's own building codes are pretty strict. The only real downside to building within Lawton is the higher cost.

Comanche County's building codes are much more lax and suspect. If you have a home built outside of the city limits, visit the job site very often to keep builders from taking short cuts on the job (brush up on your Spanish too).

A few years ago a severe storm tore through the Pecan Valley neighborhood West of Lawton and damaged a bunch of high priced homes in that development. Lots of home owners were convinced a tornado hit, which was all 100% baloney. It was just straight line winds. But they raised a bunch of hell over it and over the storm sirens not being sounded. The real truth of the situation is their homes had poor build quality. That was the real reason why the storm damage was so bad.

The home building industry in Lawton is definitely run in a "good old boy's network" kind of fashion. At least in the city limits they have to observe some rules. Out in the county, anything goes.

[PatoLiza]

Thank you so much Bobby H. Our soon to be commander did mention the Pecan Valley neighborhood. When we were there last weekend, we saw houses being built in the East side of Lawton. I am hoping that since they are in the city limits, the builders are abiding the rules/regulations honestly. We saw a house forsale by owner in the Oak Meadows neighborhood and liked the idea that the kids will go to Elgin school. We haven't decided yet where to buy a house and send the kids to school. Houses there are expensive compared to Ft. Hood area (at least here in Harker Heights, TX.) We liked the Elgin school but did not like what we saw with the new neighborhood being built. It looked like it could easily get flooded and the roads/curbs were not completely built. It was good that it was raining when we were there. Do you by any chance know how good the builders are/were in Oak Meadows? We fell in love with the view of the lake and the mountains. I wish there were more houses forsale in the area. Anyway, I am going crazy trying to sell my house here and going crazy trying to buy over there. If only I could move this house and only buy a lot over there in Ft. Sill. I am hoping to gather more information/advise to all of you wonderful people on these forum. I thanked also my friend from Virginia who directed me to this site. What a blessing!

[Bobby H]

The houses in Oak Meadows are pretty nice, and expensive -but you're going to pay a premium to be in that neighborhood with its good view of Lake Lawtonka and Mount Scott. I think various builders contract to build homes in that development. If you're looking to buy an existing home there, do everything you can to inspect it and ask questions. Honestly, you need to do that no matter where you would be buying a home.

[PatoLiza]

Thanks again Bobby H. It's just a matter of knowing who the honest builders are in the area. Any recommendation? I really fell in love with the Oak Meadows neighborhood. I will be knocking doors when we return to the area next month for another "scouting" adventure. Good thing it's only 5 hours from Ft. Hood. We will go back again in May during memorial day weekend if we must until we find the right house in the right neighborhood and school. Thanks and till next posting.

[PatoLiza]

Hello there! My husband and I are now also looking at Cache School District and its neighborhood. Is someone out there familiar with Cache. Can someone out there give me an honest and unbiased opinions on the school system, the safety of the town and the overall economic growth of the area per your own observation in the last 5 years? Thank you in advance for your help. We have been looking at East Lawton, Elgin and now we are gathering info on Cache. I hope to hear from those genuine locals in the area.

[brac1]

Congrats on your move, Lawton is not the best place to raise kids that have been in a country invironment , however, Elgin which is close to where Brac is to be located is probably the perfect choice, it too is next to a training area on Ft. Sill. It is just a fifteen minutes to Lawton/ Ft. Sill. It also is somewhat of a farming comunity, and has alot of good small town people as well as a great school system! Lots of housing available as well, I happen to have on for sale myself, in a small country neighborhood just outside of town <Mod cut: sorry, no advertising> (its a 3/2 but could be a 4/2). I was raised in Elgin, and I am sure your kids will enjoy it. <Mod cut: advertising, use dm's>

[PatoLiza]

Thanks for your wellwishes brac1. We did hear wonderful things about Elgin. My husband and I are really praying for the Lord's guidance where He would put us to raise the children. I love the atmosphere of a small community such as Elgin and Cache which are not that far from Ft. Sill. We even thought of Duncan but because of the commute and having to be at Ft. Sill very early in the morning for the formation and p.t. we were somewhat discouraged by our superior not to. One of our heart's desires is to find a community whose school has string orchestra, strong TAG program for the children (I need to keep them busy/occupied) and good church as well. We will be in the area soon to scout some more. God willing. Anyone out there who can give me an unbiased rating of those home builders in Elgin and Cache? Who to trust? thanks in advance for your help.

[Jcrif001]

Hey folks,
Been reading through the posts. Alot of great, helpful information. I would like to know if someone can tell me who they would recommend for a realtor there in Lawton. I need a good rental for the short term, 1 year lease only. I am willing to pay for a nice neighborhood but I need a 4 bedroom. Any help out there? Thanks.

[PatoLiza]

Got back from Ft. Sill/Lawton area. This time we saw a lot and actually love the area specially the view of the mountains. I think I can replicate most of the stuff we have here in Ft. Hood area. We were blessed to have a very attentive and patient realtor who met our needs. We found what kind of house we need and want. Unfortunately we couldn't do a thing about it until our house here in the Ft. Hood area is sold. I am now wishing that time will fly fast so I can get there (with the expectation that I get to live in that house we found. God willing. More posting later.